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Assessing microplastics contamination in unviable loggerhead sea turtle eggs
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Microplastics were found in every nest of unviable loggerhead sea turtle eggs collected from seven beaches in northwest Florida, averaging 1.46 particles per egg — the first such finding in this species. The presence of fibers and fragments including polyethylene and polystyrene suggests that microplastics are transferred maternally or absorbed through the eggshell, which is alarming given that loggerhead turtles are already listed as a vulnerable species.
Sea turtles, in comparison with marine mammals, sea birds, and fishes, are the most affected by microplastics in terms of number of individuals impacted and concentration within each organism. The ubiquitous nature and persistence of microplastics in the environment further compromises sea turtles as many species are currently vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered. The objective of this study was to quantify microplastic contamination in unviable loggerhead sea turtle eggs (Caretta caretta). Eggs were collected from seven locations along the northwest coast of Florida. A total of 70 nests and 350 eggs were examined. Microplastics (n = 510) were found in undeveloped loggerhead sea turtle eggs across all seven sites, suggesting that maternal transference and/or exchange between the internal and external environment were possible. The frequency found was 7.29 ± 1.83 microplastic pieces per nest and 1.46 ± 0.01 per egg. Microplastics were categorized based on color, shape, size, and type of polymer. The predominant color of microplastics were blue/green (n = 236), shape was fibers (n = 369), and length was 10-300 μm (n = 191). Identified fragments, films, beads and one foam (n = 187) had the most common area of 1-10 μm (n = 45). Micro-Fourier Transform Infrared (μ-FTIR) spectroscopy analysis demonstrated that polyethylene (11 %) and polystyrene (7 %) were the main polymer types. For the first time microplastics were found in unviable, undeveloped loggerhead sea turtle eggs collected in northwest Florida. This work provides insight into the distribution patterns of microplastic pollutants in loggerhead sea turtle eggs and may extend to other species worldwide.
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Microplastics were found in sand at all 10 major loggerhead sea turtle nesting beaches in the northern Gulf of Mexico, with concentrations high enough to potentially affect nest temperature, gas exchange, and hatchling emergence. The findings highlight that nesting habitat quality for an endangered species is being compromised by microplastic contamination.
Microplastics evidence in yolk and liver of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), a pilot study.
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Researchers examined yolk and liver samples from loggerhead sea turtle embryos and found microplastic particles present in both tissue types. The liver samples also showed elevated numbers of melanomacrophages, immune cells that may indicate a stress response to the contamination. The findings suggest that microplastics may be transferred from mother turtles to their eggs, raising concerns about the impact on embryonic development in this already-threatened species.
Plastic Ingestion in Post-hatchling Sea Turtles: Assessing a Major Threat in Florida Near Shore Waters
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Plastic fragments were found in the digestive tracts of 93% of stranded juvenile loggerhead sea turtles examined in Florida, with up to 287 fragments and a plastic-to-body weight ratio as high as 1.23%. The high ingestion rates in animals this young suggest that plastic pollution poses a serious threat to sea turtle survival from the earliest life stages.
Microplastic exposure and effect on loggerhead turtle health
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This study characterized microplastic exposure and health effects in loggerhead sea turtles, examining how plastic ingestion relates to blood biomarkers and tissue condition. Turtles with higher microplastic loads showed elevated inflammatory markers and reduced body condition scores, indicating measurable health impacts from plastic ingestion in the wild.
The microplastic pollution in beaches that served as historical nesting grounds for green turtles on Hainan Island, China
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Researchers found an average of 2,567 microplastic pieces per square meter in beach sediments at historical green turtle nesting grounds on Hainan Island, China, with polystyrene and polyethylene foam fragments dominating and small particles (0.05-1 mm) most prevalent, raising concerns about nesting habitat quality.
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